- Style/technique:
Art nouveau lustre
- Manufacturer: Maw
& Co
- Designer: Very
likely C H Temple
- Dimensions: 6" x
6"
- Date: circa
1900
An aggressively stylised art nouveau yet arts
& crafts influenced design
in the manner of the
Vienna Secessionists. Highly stylised floral
decoration the outline in a brown stain
apparently painted through a stencil and filled
with hand colouring in silver
lustre.*
The manufacture of
lustrewares was an unpredictable process relying
on a reaction between the atmosphere in the kiln
and the painted stain which results in a
brilliant metallic sheen that is literally on
the very surface.
A difficult process with dramatic results
means such tiles were highly prized and highly
priced, an interesting comparison of prices can
be gained from a Maw & Co price list dating
from the 1890s.
- Plain coloured tiles 4d - 4.5d each
- Relief tiles 6.5d - 7d each
- Walter Crane designs 6.5d each
- Lustre tiles 56d each
The unit of currency in 1890 is pennies, old
pennies - 240 to the pound!
* Silver lustre is
so-called because the element that makes the
colour is silver, the effect however is of
gold.
